He referred to 'Abdu'l-Baha on many occasions as "The Center of My Covenant," "The Most Great Branch," "The Branch from the Ancient Root." He habitually spoke of Him as "The Master" and required all His family to treat Him with marked deference; and in His Will and Testament He left explicit instructions that all should turn to Him and obey Him.
After the death of the "Blessed Beauty" (as Baha'u'llah was generally called by His family and believers) 'Abdu'l-Baha assumed the position which His father had clearly indicated for Him as head of the Cause and authoritative Interpreter of the teachings, but this was resented by certain of His relatives and others, who became as bitterly opposed to 'Abdu'l-Baha as Subh-i-Azal had been to Baha'u'llah.

They tried to stir up dissensions among the believers, and, failing in that, proceeded to make various false charges against 'Abdu'l-Baha to the Turkish Government.
In accordance with instructions received from His father, 'Abdu'l-Baha was erecting a building on the side of Mount Carmel, above Haifa, which was intended to be the permanent resting-place of the remains of the Bab, and also to contain a number of rooms for meetings and services.

They represented to the authorities that this building was intended as a fort, and that 'Abdu'l-Baha and His followers meant to entrench themselves there, defy the Government, and endeavor to gain possession of the neighboring region of Syria.
Strict Imprisonment Renewed In consequence of this and other equally unfounded charges, in 1901, 'Abdu'l-Baha and His family, who for more than twenty years had been allowed the freedom of the country for some miles around Akka, were again, for over seven years, strictly confined within the walls of the prison city.

This did not prevent Him, however, from effectively spreading the Baha'i message through Asia, Europe and America.

Mr.Horace Holley writes of this period as follows:-- To 'Abdu'l-Baha, as a teacher and friend, came men and women from every race, religion and nation, to sit at his table like favored guests, questioning him about the social, spiritual or moral program each had most at heart; and after a stay lasting from a few hours to many months, returning home, inspired, renewed and enlightened.